Kit Review

Straight build + Panel lining + Seals

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Full Mechanics Gundam Aerial - Various angles (1/6)

Full Mechanics Gundam Aerial - Various angles (2/6)

Full Mechanics Gundam Aerial - Various angles (3/6)

Full Mechanics Gundam Aerial - Various angles (4/6)

Various angles

Full Mechanics Gundam Aerial - Detail shots (1/4)

Full Mechanics Gundam Aerial - Detail shots (2/4)

Detail shots

Full Mechanics Gundam Aerial - The glowing effect on the head/shoulders/chest/backpack/thighs is achiev

The glowing effect on the head/shoulders/chest/backpack/thighs is achieved by placing plated parts underneath clear parts.

Weapons loadout

Full Mechanics Gundam Aerial - There's a gimmick where the two lower sections of the shield extend and

There's a gimmick where the two lower sections of the shield extend and spread apart like shown above.

Inside of the shield

Full Mechanics Gundam Aerial - The Bit Staves detach similarly to the HG, but being a 1/100, the color

The Bit Staves detach similarly to the HG, but
being a 1/100, the color separation and detail are well-realized all the way to the back side.

Full Mechanics Gundam Aerial - The Bit Staves that mount on the rear skirt need to have their locking p

The Bit Staves that mount on the rear skirt need to have their locking pins extended before you plug them in.

Bit Staves distributed and mounted all over the body

Full Mechanics Gundam Aerial - You can mount the beam rifle on the backpack using the included adapter

You can mount the beam rifle on the backpack using the included adapter parts.

Full Mechanics Gundam Aerial - Remove the crotch cover to expose the stand hole. You can plug in the Ac

Remove the crotch cover to expose the stand hole.
You can plug in the Action Base's locking pin there to put it on a stand.

Full Mechanics Gundam Aerial - You can also add a joint part here to mount it on an Action Base in a di

You can also add a joint part here to mount it on an Action Base in a different way.

Full Mechanics Gundam Aerial - Replacement fingers are included — 3 types each — though the left and ri

Replacement fingers are included — 3 types each — though the left and right hand sets are slightly different.

Excellent limb articulation

Hip joint slide gimmick

Full Mechanics Gundam Aerial - A uniquely designed shoulder joint is used here — by extending the shoul

A uniquely designed shoulder joint is used here.
By extending the shoulder outward at a diagonal angle, it maximizes the range of motion.

Shoulder forward/backward articulation gimmick

The elbow also rotates 180 degrees.

Full Mechanics Gundam Aerial - The waist can be extended in two stages — upper and lower — to increase

The waist can be extended in two stages — upper and lower — to increase the range of motion.

Flexible articulation of the head and beam saber

Full Mechanics Gundam Aerial - The front of the foot bends like shown above, which really maximizes gro

The front of the foot bends like shown above, which really maximizes ground contact.

Full Mechanics Gundam Aerial - When you bend the knee, there's also a gimmick where the yellow parts sp

When you bend the knee, there's also a gimmick where the yellow parts split in two and slide apart.

Full Mechanics Gundam Aerial - Shooting pose with beam effect parts attached to the beam rifle (1/3)

Shooting pose with beam effect parts attached to the beam rifle

Full Mechanics Gundam Aerial - Beam saber pose (1/3)

Beam saber pose

Pose with Bit Staves mounted all over the body

Full Mechanics Gundam Aerial - Kneeling pose (1/3)

Kneeling pose

Full Mechanics Gundam Aerial - Bit Stave launch pose using the separately sold Weapon Display Base (1/4

Full Mechanics Gundam Aerial - Bit Stave launch pose using the separately sold Weapon Display Base (2/4

Bit Stave launch pose using the separately sold Weapon Display Base

Together with the HG Gundam Aerial.

Straight build shot before panel lining/seals

* This kit is 1/100 scale, not 1/144 HG — but for easier browsing, it's been listed together in the HG category under the Witch from Mercury section, just so you know.

This kit is the Full Mechanics Gundam Aerial, released as part of the Mobile Suit Gundam "The Witch from Mercury" series. As a Full Mechanics lineup kit — essentially a no-grade 1/100 — it has no inner frame, but the excellent color separation and detail make the exterior look really well done. The overall functionality is pretty much the same as the HG, but the detail is noticeably more refined, as you'd expect from a 1/100 scale kit.

The shield in particular, which separates into 11 Bit Staves, has color separation and detail even on the back side of each Bit Stave. The glowing effect on the head/shoulders/chest/backpack/thighs is beautifully rendered with clear parts layered over plated parts. There's also a new gimmick not found on the HG, where the two Bit Staves at the bottom of the shield extend and spread open, and there's even a section that slides and splits as the knee moves.

Overall articulation is pretty solid too, and the shoulders in particular stand out with their new design. The shoulder joints extend diagonally from inside the torso, which gives them a noticeably wider range of motion. The waist also extends in two stages to increase mobility, though the stability there is a bit lacking, which is a little concerning. On top of that, there's a hip slide gimmick along with a large toe bend, making it easy to pull off kneeling poses and low-to-the-ground stances.

The polycap-less joints have pretty good strength overall. The movement feels a bit stiff, but that actually means poses hold well no matter what you put it in. That said, there's a slight amount of play in each joint, so the whole thing has a bit of a loose, rattly feel. It's not a floppy kit by any means, but it doesn't feel rock-solid tight throughout either.

All in all, this feels like a kit that really makes good use of the advantages of the larger 1/100 scale — it's a great-looking build. It comes together smoothly, looks stunning as a straight build, and delivers solid articulation and joint strength — a model example of what a 1/100 Gunpla should be. The exterior is honestly on par with MG level, which actually makes it feel like pretty good value for money. Either way, this seems like a great kit that I can easily recommend to Witch from Mercury fans and Gunpla fans in general. :-)

Full Mechanics Gundam Aerial | 2023.4 | ¥3,800

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.